August 2003
A friend of mine has just returned from a holiday in Italy and was totally flabbergasted to see six people(Father, Mother and four children) riding on one scooter, - none of them wearing crash helmets.
Apart from the extreme danger in such foolhardy and reckless behaviour, one questions if we, the majority of the bona fide British public, are the only members within the E.E.C. to actually obey the letter of the law ???? Read more
Several times now when I've clicked on the "Discussion" link when going into the BR, the BMW pop-up ad has filled my screen, upon closing it IE then crashes. Anyone else getting this? Read more
I've already filed an error report to Stephen Khoo about this. I'll put in another one as obviously the problem is still there.
With regard to software that prevents pop ups, etc, remember that adverts help fund this site. Without that revenue, there would be no Backroom. If you prevent the ads, then all you are doing is slowly killing this site.
I own a Mazda 6 which has developed a sqeeky steering wheel. Anyone got any suggestions to cure the problem? Read more
I did 10000 miles at the back end of last year, in an 8 week period.
It was in a 1.8s - ie the base model - it was well equipped and comfortable. Performance was very good, although the engine noise was a little too obtrusive.
The plastic "titanium" centre console is the only let down. Poor quality and easily sratched.
Karakuri back seat is excellent - many trips to the tip benefitted from it's easy folding.
I seem to remember the car says "hello" on the dashboard display when you turn ignition on - what more could you want from a car??? ;o)
Heard an interview with Martin Shaw (ex-Professionals) yesterday in which the subject of Ford Capris came up. Apparently Ford are launching a new 'super' Capri - anyone got any info. on this ? Read more
Sean - the one big difference between the Capri and the Probe and Mondeo was that the Capri sold for a very small amount extra over an equivalent Cortina, whereas the difference between a Cougar 2.0 and a Mondeo 2.0 Si was over £3k (and probably more like £5k after discount, at least at first).
I think they can make money out of a Capri if it sells for no more than £1000 over a Focus 5 door hatch (or Mondeo if it's big enough, but I can't see that happening), the insurance is reasonable, and the styling is special enough without adding significantly to the production costs.
Otherwise, we'll see the situation where keen drivers are asked to choose between a Capri 2.0 Ghia and a Focus RS. (Isn't the idea of buying a new Capri Ghia just gloriously naff?)
I've seen a Mondeo, diesel, 1.8TD - electric windows, electric mirrors, A/C, CD players, hand-free kit, in very good condition (new tyres, no scratches or dents), V reg, 103,000 miles on sale privately at £3,895. The guy selling it was very genuine, and he works at the same company as me (although we don't know each other) - I like the car, and am not concerned about the high milegae - it's a diesel, so 103K miles is not the end of the world. The car drives well.
What do you fellas reckon? Good buy?
Ideally, I'd prefer a Primera, or Vectra but there seems to be very few of these available as diesels, and the ones I've seen always have something dodgy about them (front-panel sticking out 1/2 an inch; dealer stating car has electric windows, when it doesn't, 'private' seller really a back alley trader. etc etc).
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Seems £3895 is what a dealer would ask for - too much for a private sale - no warranties offered?
I gather from comments I have seen on the web that Jeremy Clarkson has been having problems with his Mercedes and he's not to impressed with the after sales service. I presume he must have written about it in one of his columns but I can't dig it up. Does anyone have the full story please? Just being nosey!LOL Read more
He regularly slates Merc. servicing. I think he did so at least a month ago in his Sunday Times Motoring section car review. Maybe he was reviewing a Merc?
Won't be too many empty motel rooms in Milwaukee next weekend for the Harley-Davidson 100th Birthday celebrations. Talking to my HD dealership pal and he says the authorities are preparing for up to one million visitors and an awful lot of motorcycles.
tinyurl.com/kzxy
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Makes our little Bike Week with a mere 2,000 bikes a few months ago look puny.
However, I could happily give a cheerful Italian salute to that Mark whatever who thinks he's so clever on that TV programme restoring a wartime WLC, there were at least 3 at our bash, all put back lovingly together by little guys in their back yards to original specs. They didn't get paid a cent for their troubles, did it all for love and not a TV camera in sight. But then as we all know 98.765% of TV is garbage.
I would like to have made it to Juneau Ave, but a long way to go and I refuse to fly economy these days so it comes expensive.
One of my pals is, maybe I can post some pix when he gets back.
Being as I'm having some problems finding local Corollas, I thought I'd see if any other vehicle matched my requirements, especially as I'd ruled out every other manufacturer! I like what I see (and read in the Car by Car Breakdown) about the Colt and surprisingly there's one locally, an
"96 N Reg Mitsubishi Colt 1.6 GLX, Petrol, Hatchback, 56,000 miles , 3 Doors. 1 owner and full MITSUBISHI history, 3 Doors. airbag double, Body Coloured Bumpers, Catalytic Converter, Central Door Locking, electric sunroof, Electric Windows, Heated Rear Screen, In Car Entertainment, Manual Transmission, Paint Metallic, Power-Assisted Steering, radio/cd, rear spoiler, Rear Wash/Wipe, £2,350"
There's hardly any problems mentioned in CBCB unlike the great long list of Fords etc faults, but having done a quick search through the archives here it seems that Mitsubishi parts can be hard to source. Is this still the case? What do people think of the Colt in general of this age group? Also are they a similar insurance group to that of the Corolla?
Thank you for any advice you can share.
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From the info about airbags etc. I'm presuming that you are looking at the current model Colt (i.e. the 96-on model). Can you take a look at the details and pictures in the 'Car by Car breakdown' to confirm this.
To be honest I think people don't bother with the cambelt change as they see how pricey it's going to be and reckon that as the cars are stupendously reliable there isn't much point...!
If you do find one you like take a look in the boot where the spare wheel lives to make sure the car hasn't had a rear impact. Also the body colour bumpers are quite bad for getting the paint scraped off in carparks - take a good look.
The Colt never was fashionable as it is very bland, so there won't be an eager queue of buyers - which should mean that you get a good deal. Take a look at:
www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/usedcars/
to see what's on offer from the franchised network who should offer a good warranty. The prices shown are on the high side but everything is negotiable.
Check the prices with Parkers price guide or their website:
www.parkers.co.uk
Don't pay too much though as the cars are not very popular as they aren't, nor ever were, trendy! For your £3000 you should be aiming to get a *much* newer model than something from '96!
Good luck - let us know what you finally buy.
Does anyone know of a permanent fix to the annoying creak from a dash.Car in 6 times to solve this problem. Eventually got a new dash fitted.It was fine for a while but has started to return.Guess it is to do with the weight of the plastic compound but it is doing my head in. Thanks Read more
Could be worse. I've got a 3k bill due to a timing belt slipping and taking out four teeth and all 20 valves.. need to replace the top half of the engine. Its only done 73k. Change your cam belts now!
Hi, I am risking not getting a reply to this as it is Saturday night but here goes...
Mate\'s 96 Clio 4-door: the driver\'s window winder handle is showing its age as the knob you hold keeps coming off or jamming when turning. I suggested swapping the whole handle with one of the virtually unused ones on the back doors. Trouble is I cannot see how to get it off! I am sure it pretty easy (well, I hope it is).
Anyone know how? Ta, in advance. Read more
Brilliant! Andrew, you were right on the money. A closer look in better light did in fact reveal a round shaft. A suitable tool wrapped in an (clean) old sock and one careful but mighty tug later and off it popped. I started with the rear one just in case it went belly up. 5 minutes and job done.
So riding on the crest of a wave of over-confidence, I took an extra 15 minutes swapping over the two front seat cushions as the foam side bolsters were softening up a little on the driver's side. All sorted and I am presently sipping the well earned pint c/o my mate. Cheers, all. ;-)
Browse
We agree because we're British!
No we don't need cars, we'll just not go to work, shops, or anywhere, oops sounds like some european pesant.